This was my fastest since 2019 and I loved this course. You need to be on a bus between 4 and 4:45 AM (ooph). The course starts in a little … MORE
This was my fastest since 2019 and I loved this course. You need to be on a bus between 4 and 4:45 AM (ooph). The course starts in a little village called Forest Falls on the state route that goes to Big Bear Lake. It was supposed to be cold and rainy and thankfully, it was neither (sadly, I was dressed for both). The start line had tons of portalets which was nice. The race literally is a straight line down the canyon with no turns other than road serpentines (be smart, run tangents!!). The grade is not outrageous so you aren’t trashing your legs but it is a definite downhill (I think the total elevation loss was close to 3100 ft!). Plenty of water stations with a surprising number of bathrooms available at those. The only turn was at mile 12 when you’re coming into the finish. This was a flat-ish segment which challenges you mentally after the downhill, and then you are at the finish line which as all Revel races are, has amazing support and food and cool clothes to wipe your face with. Weather was perfect, overcast and 40-50. Buses take you back to the parking area (which was huge with plenty of spaces to avoid stress at o dark thirty). Loved this one, hope to do it again.
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Excellent course
This was my fastest since 2019 and I loved this course. You need to be on a bus between 4 and 4:45 AM (ooph). The course starts in a little … MORE
This was my fastest since 2019 and I loved this course. You need to be on a bus between 4 and 4:45 AM (ooph). The course starts in a little village called Forest Falls on the state route that goes to Big Bear Lake. It was supposed to be cold and rainy and thankfully, it was neither (sadly, I was dressed for both). The start line had tons of portalets which was nice. The race literally is a straight line down the canyon with no turns other than road serpentines (be smart, run tangents!!). The grade is not outrageous so you aren’t trashing your legs but it is a definite downhill (I think the total elevation loss was close to 3100 ft!). Plenty of water stations with a surprising number of bathrooms available at those. The only turn was at mile 12 when you’re coming into the finish. This was a flat-ish segment which challenges you mentally after the downhill, and then you are at the finish line which as all Revel races are, has amazing support and food and cool clothes to wipe your face with. Weather was perfect, overcast and 40-50. Buses take you back to the parking area (which was huge with plenty of spaces to avoid stress at o dark thirty). Loved this one, hope to do it again.
Definitely Worth the trip!
This is definitely a race you can PR and/or BQ. It is Downhill for most of the course. Plenty of aid stations, well organized event from expo, to buses, parking, … MORE
This is definitely a race you can PR and/or BQ. It is Downhill for most of the course. Plenty of aid stations, well organized event from expo, to buses, parking, post race shuttles. The only thing missing, for me, was live music at the finish area. Water stations every 2 miles. I bring my own Gels, but plenty of GU being handed out along with fruit. The Mountain scenery so amazing you will be tempted to take pictures all along the course, especially as the sun rises. The Expo was small, but it had everything relevant to a marathon that you may have forgotten if traveling. This was my first Revel race, I will be going to more. If this is how efficiently all their events are, I can’t wait for the next one.
Perfect running weather
The Revelers is a very fine group, really. However, this race and I have done 9 of their races ranked way down the list. The buss pick up was a … MORE
The Revelers is a very fine group, really. However, this race and I have done 9 of their races ranked way down the list. The buss pick up was a mess. The location for pick up, no signs, no people, nothing was there. The delegated people showed up very late. A parking attendant not associated with the race helped out. Runners were so mixed up. So the race started late. Also no bathrooms on the lot, also a big problem. A total mess. The course is a nice course, not the fastest Revelers but good. Not a lot of locals out. Aid stations are just water and electrolytes so bring your own snacks. Weather war great and finish was great and very well organized.
BQ'd by over 24 mins!
I ran 2022 Big Bear and BQ’d by over 24 minutes. Loved this course because the rolling hills at the beginning kept my pace conservative and left alot of energy … MORE
I ran 2022 Big Bear and BQ’d by over 24 minutes. Loved this course because the rolling hills at the beginning kept my pace conservative and left alot of energy for all the downhill after mile 9. You must, I think, do downhill specific training to do well. I saw a fair number of people walking after they had trashed their quads streaking down the mountain. The key to my success was that I signed up for the Revel training program with Coach Paul, which is designed to the demands of a Revel race and emphasizes both strength and leg turnover. The speed workouts are honestly a lot of fun and I’ve continued using them to train for Boston. I’ve never felt more prepared for a race than after following this plan, and I’ve tried them all: Hansons, Pfitzinger, McMillan, etc. I had zero quad soreness after my race b/c I ‘d done so much downhill prep. Also be sure to check out Coach Paul’s videos on the Revel FB page. He gives in-depth course strategies for each Revel race full of super useful info. If you want to snag a BQ, Big Bear can be lightning-fast but really train for the specific challenges of this course.
Amazing Race again
This is my 4th running of the Revel Big Bear Marathon. There was a snowstorm just days before the race but the road was perfectly cleared, It was a cold … MORE
This is my 4th running of the Revel Big Bear Marathon. There was a snowstorm just days before the race but the road was perfectly cleared, It was a cold start as the first 11 miles were all above the snowline. The first 9 miles have some hills and you need to pace yourself for a negative split. From miles 13-22 it’s a great downhill run and you make up anything you lost in the first 9 miles. I think the Revel Team puts on some the best run events of any I have run. I’ll be back again next year. I’m already signed up.
Beautiful!
Beautiful course!!! I went out WAY too fast, it being my first Revel, and paid for it in the later miles. Still a PR by 4 minutes, but hopefully next … MORE
Beautiful course!!! I went out WAY too fast, it being my first Revel, and paid for it in the later miles. Still a PR by 4 minutes, but hopefully next time I can figure this out. Gorgeous scenery!
BQ / PR Race
Everyone knows that the Revel races are a great chance to BQ if you can manage the downhill. I PR's by almost 8 min from my last real marathon try … MORE
Everyone knows that the Revel races are a great chance to BQ if you can manage the downhill. I PR’s by almost 8 min from my last real marathon try 11 years ago and got my BQ time. It is important to train for the downhills through practice and strength work. This course is rolling through the first 8 miles which really helps keep your pace in check. GO SLOW – you will make it up. I was 10 min faster on the 2nd half even with struggling the last few miles. Miles 9-20 is the meat of the downhill where you drop almost 3000′ especially miles 14-20. The last part of the course says it is a gradual downhill and maybe it is but not what you just experienced so it felt almost flat to me. I was not able to pick up any more speed just fight to maintain. The race was well run and the expo was really good with lots of cute, fun race gear to buy. The medal and shirt were fine but nothing exciting. I definitely recommend the race and series and with a few little tweaks, it would off the charts awesome!
PR Potential!!
Revel specializes in downhill races and they've been doing it for a while so things will run smoothly. You get on a bus in the wee hours of the morning … MORE
Revel specializes in downhill races and they’ve been doing it for a while so things will run smoothly. You get on a bus in the wee hours of the morning and ride to the start where it can get cold and you have to wait for a while, but they’ll have food, drinks, plenty of portable toilets and they provide you with gloves and mylar blankets at packet pick up to use race morning until you warm up. Course has plenty of aid stations/toilets and they provide free race photos from the start to the finish! The shirts are designed well and you’ve got options to pay extra for a different kind of your liking (tanks, long sleeves, etc). Medals are heavy duty. Expo and finish line festivities do not disappoint and this course in particular definitely has PR potential for the half.
Another fast BQ course
It was super cold at the start since it snowed about 3 days before the race in the area. There were some ice patches you had to be aware of. … MORE
It was super cold at the start since it snowed about 3 days before the race in the area. There were some ice patches you had to be aware of. Great Revel race – Do IT!
Lots of downhill, but some uphill too
It's a Revel race, so you expect lots of downhill to give you a push and get a PR or a BQ. What you need to expect at this one … MORE
It’s a Revel race, so you expect lots of downhill to give you a push and get a PR or a BQ. What you need to expect at this one is the little uphill portions during the first 9 miles. You’re still at elevation there, so be ready for the challenge. Another good thing about Revel races is that they do an excellent job in so many ways. Little surprise extras with swag, great post-race food and drink, and a super-organized drop bag pickup with no waiting or searching.
Oh, and about that BQ…yes, I got it. Fastest I’ve run in almost 4 years.
Not Big Bear, but still Big Fun!
If you read my reviews of this race from 2018 and 2019, you know all about my misadventures with staying in Big Bear and taking the shuttle down the mountain … MORE
If you read my reviews of this race from 2018 and 2019, you know all about my misadventures with staying in Big Bear and taking the shuttle down the mountain to the start. In short: don’t do it. It is not worth the frustration.
This year, I took the (free) shuttle from Redlands up the mountain to the start. This alone greatly improved my experience with this event. I was on the first shuttle going up the mountain. When I arrived, I had plenty of time to use the portapotties, stretch, eat my breakfast and socialize with friends. In previous years, the bus from Big Bear got me to the race start with BARELY enough time to use a portapotty… forget trying to stretch or find friends. Due to this alone, I had a much better time running this race than previous years.
Although we were given mylar blankets and gloves at packet pick-up, extras were available at the race start. Although it wasn’t as cold as previous years, this was greatly appreciated by many runners.
Because I ran the LA Marathon only 6 days prior, my original plan was to take it at an easy/moderate pace. But because I felt good and I am familiar with the course, I ended up pushing my pace. Much to my surprise, I ended up PRing. My previous half marathon PR is from 6 years ago this month, so this was a big deal for me.
My usual disclaimers when it comes to Revel Big Bear — it does not run in or near Big Bear. It should be called Revel Redlands. The people I was sitting with on the shuttle going up the mountain thought we were going to Big Bear. They were disappointed when I showed them on my phone where we were actually going. The half is the least scenic Revel race I have run. All of the beautiful photos you see from this race are in the first half of the full. The scenery in the half is rather dull. With my usual warnings now out of the way, it is a fun event.
Unlike previous years, I got to hang out at the finish line and cheer my friends in who were running the full. I am normally in a rush to catch the shuttle going back up to Big Bear, which only runs once an hour. The regular shuttles going to the parking in Redlands depart much more frequently (and it is a much shorter trip).
Finish line refreshments included water, Bodyarmor sports drink, chocolate milk, pizza, cookies and Hangar 24 beer. They also had the usual towels soaked in ice water, which were very welcome on such a warm day.
Every year, Revel includes a nice gift branded with the Revel logo. In 2016, it was a cold weather beanie. In 2018, it was a hat. In 2019 it was Goodr glasses. This year it was a nice quality insulated cup with lid.
While I did not like this race the first two times I ran it, I have a high opinion of Revel events in general. Taking the bus up the mountain from Redlands instead of down the mountain from Big Bear has greatly improved my overall experience with this particular event. I look forward to continuing my legacy status and running it again 2022.
Best course to PR
Very well organized race and best course to PR on both half marathon and marathon. Just need to have a plan on how to run it accordingly - Coach Paul … MORE
Very well organized race and best course to PR on both half marathon and marathon. Just need to have a plan on how to run it accordingly – Coach Paul strategy in the Revel FB page is the best. Run the first 9 miles of rolling hills at comfortable pace, then comes all downhill for the remaining of the marathon course when the pace should be pushed. Starting too hard on the first miles will cost you on the last 10k for sure. Out of my 38 life marathons, best 3 times are on this race, every year I ran it. Just plan for a longer recovery after the race. This race does take its toll on the quads for sure, especially if one is not paying attention to execute it with a high cadence with short strides.
A great course and production!
Revel races are great! I liked the Big Bear course with rolling hills the first 9 miles and all downhill from there. It was an unusually hot year - so … MORE
Revel races are great! I liked the Big Bear course with rolling hills the first 9 miles and all downhill from there. It was an unusually hot year – so the last 3 miles were very hot in the 90s, but low humidity and downhill. The community provided additional water stops which was really appreciated. I ran the marathon this year and had a PR, but the half I believe is the fastest in the country. I highly recommend this race and the Revelers Facebook group, and Coach Paul Carmona.
Freezing to hot downhill run
Another mysterious run by Revel where you have a huge vertical drop, but can qualify for Boston. The weather was unusually hot, so running from the mountains to the valley … MORE
Another mysterious run by Revel where you have a huge vertical drop, but can qualify for Boston.
The weather was unusually hot, so running from the mountains to the valley the temperature changed from 30 to 90 degrees in five hours.
The race is similar to other Revel races, well organized.
Best PR opportunity!!
This was my second Revel race. I had a great experience with Revel Mt Hood, so I decided to try out Revel Big Bear half. I chose the half marathon … MORE
This was my second Revel race. I had a great experience with Revel Mt Hood, so I decided to try out Revel Big Bear half. I chose the half marathon with it’s 3100 ft elevation drop.Revel races start very early. This one was no different with it’s 6am race start. Bus loading for the half marathon was from 4am to 4:45am. It was about a 30 minutes bus ride to the start were there were plenty of port a potties, water, and lights because it was very dark. Each participant was provided with a mylar blanket and gloves to keep warm. We were also given a drop bag to put our extra warm clothes in and those were taken to the finish line. It really wasn’t too chilly at the start. I’d say it was around 40′. I needed the gloves, but not the blanket. Pacers were available and I had decided that i was going to stick with the 2:20:00 pacer. I figured this was smart because my best previous half PR was 2:20:53 which was two years ago when I was much faster. Lately, my half times have been around 2:40:00. Well, after about two miles, I decided that the 2:20:00 pace felt too slow. I started running faster, but definitely not out of control. It was very beautiful running down the canyon road. The weather was cool in the shade and around mile eight, we finally came of of the shade of the canyon and it started to heat up. The course had a nice steady drop and around mile 11 or so, it started to flatten out. The last mile was completely flat. I looked at my watch at mile 12 and it said 1:59:00!!! I knew that even if i walked the last mile I would still have a PR. I kept the pace going and came in at 2:11:45!!!! Woo-Hoo!! I shaved over nine minutes off my PR time from two years ago and three times as much from my recent half time. The temperature had warmed up quite a bit by the finish. it was 78′ at 8:15 am. San Bernardino was having a heat wave.
Revel puts on a great race. The busing to the start is organized. Plenty of aid stations on course. We only had to deal with cars for a few miles. They had a pilot car bringing cars up and down the canyon road. Shirts and medals are fabulous. Post race food included a sweet treat, pizza, and beer.
Revel is awesome and I will definitely run another one of their races.
Fast course but respect the distance!
Great swag - pay the $5 upgrade to either a long sleeve or an ultra soft race shirt. You also get a pair of Goodr and recycled gloves for the … MORE
Great swag – pay the $5 upgrade to either a long sleeve or an ultra soft race shirt. You also get a pair of Goodr and recycled gloves for the chilly start.
The race is fast but the pounding will take its toll if you don’t properly train. Revel provides excellent tips on course management and how to train for a downhill course. We did multiple long runs on downhill routes to prepare.
The best thing about the Big Bear course is that it’s a continual downhill past mile 9. It becomes more gradual the last 6 miles but it’s still downhill even though it might feel like it.
A great race for a PR/BQ
This first Revel race and my first downhill marathon. Race production is top shelf. The course was well marked and well stocked. Finish line had plenty of options-food, hydration, clothing … MORE
This first Revel race and my first downhill marathon. Race production is top shelf. The course was well marked and well stocked. Finish line had plenty of options-food, hydration, clothing for sale, photo ops, results both, etc. Expo was small but friendly and well organized. Quality swag for participants and excellent communication prior to the race. Buses to the start were organized and easy to access. Plenty of potties at the start. Views are majestic and motivating/distracting. I signed up for coaching with Revel coach Paul. This is critical if you haven’t run a downhill marathon. His training plan is specific to the stresses of downhill running and his course insights are invaluable. He helped prepare me physically and mentally so that my race day was enjoyable with no surprises. Highly recommend the course and the coaching.
Another great Revel Race
Revel Races are so well organized and from the moment you get to the expo you feel part of the Revel running Community. Coach Paul's talk about the course and … MORE
Revel Races are so well organized and from the moment you get to the expo you feel part of the Revel running Community. Coach Paul’s talk about the course and advice was so great and made me feel like I knew what was coming throughout the course when I was running the next day. I would highly recommend this race but prepare for a cold morning before the start.
Fast Down Hill
This is a point to point race so plan on being there early. Buses for the half and full leave from the same parking lot but different sections. Make sure … MORE
This is a point to point race so plan on being there early. Buses for the half and full leave from the same parking lot but different sections. Make sure you get on the right bus. Revel offers the option to mail your t-shirt and bib for a fee otherwise you have to go to the expo or have someone pick your stuff up. Great race. Great production. Lots of food at the finish.
Here we go again (Big Bear bus rant)
For anyone who read my 2018 Revel Big Bear review, you already know about my misadventures with the buses to/from Big Bear High School. I was hoping the bus system … MORE
For anyone who read my 2018 Revel Big Bear review, you already know about my misadventures with the buses to/from Big Bear High School. I was hoping the bus system would be better this year. Spoiler alert – it wasn’t. I’m getting ahead of myself though. Let’s start with the expo, shall we?
Last year the race was on Sunday, but this year it was moved to Saturday. The expo was at National Orange Show Event Center from 10 am – 6:00 pm on Friday. Battling Friday afternoon LA traffic was a nightmare. I left work in Pasadena at 2:30 pm and didn’t get to the expo until 5:40 pm!!!! I was able to get my packet without a problem, but many of the vendors were already packing (or packed) up. If you download the Revel app, you can collect codes from various vendors for points that can be redeemed towards free races (I got Revel Big Bear for free by collecting points through the app). If you collect all the codes you are also entered into a raffle for great prizes. Despite the vendors packing up, I was able to get all of the codes but one. No one was at the Revel coaching program booth. Luckily a friend gave me the code so I was still able to get entered into the raffle. If the race continues to be on Saturday, I highly recommend having the expo run slightly later. 6 pm is just too early with Friday traffic in LA. Practically all of my friends left work early and barely made it to the expo in time.
For an additional fee, you can pick up your packet on race morning and save the stress of Friday night LA traffic.
Ok, time to talk about the buses. Repeat after me: I will not stay in Big Bear and pay $30 to take the bus from Big Bear High School. I will not stay in Big Bear and pay $30 to take the bus from Big Bear High School. I will not stay in Big Bear and pay $30 to take the bus from Big Bear High School.
Get it? Got it. Good.
If you aren’t looking for a “racecation” weekend in Big Bear, on race morning the most practical thing to do is to take the free shuttle from the base of the mountain in San Bernardino up the mountain to the race start.
For those wishing to stay in Big Bear (don’t do it), the race offered roundtrip transportation to/from Big Bear High School for $30. Half Marathoners were told that our bus loading time was between 4:00 – 4:30 am. The Full Marathoners were told that their bus loading time was between 4:30 – 5:00 am. Our confirmation e-mail stressed not to be late. I like to arrive to races very early, therefore I was at Big Bear High School a few minutes before 4 am. The buses arrived a few minutes after 4. The handful of us who were there immediately walked over to the first bus to arrive. We were told we couldn’t board the buses yet as they needed to figure out which buses would be for the Half and which buses would be for the Full (at least at this point, all of us were there for the Half). We stood around in 22 degree weather until approximately 4:15 when we were directed to a bus that had been designated as a Half Marathon bus. The bus then sat until 4:37 when we finally left for the start. It took approximately an hour to get to the starting line. We pulled up to the starting line at 5:37 and were allowed to get off the bus at 5:40. As we got off the bus, they reminded us that gear check was scheduled to close at 5:45 am (in 5 whole minutes). I immediately got in line for a porta-potty. The line moved relatively quickly (thank goodness for small miracles). I stepped out of the porta-potty at 5:53 (8 minutes after gear check was scheduled to close and 7 minutes until the race start), then dropped off my bag at gear check (yay, they weren’t closed). I then walked up the road to the start. There was zero time for me to warm-up or stretch (as someone who has been running marathons for 14.5 years, my broken-down body is at a point where I NEED to stretch before a run) and no time to find friends.
I was in a bad mood at this point. Again. Fool me once Revel, shame on you. Fool me twice? Shame on me. This was a repeat of the exact same headache from last year.
Like last year, there was no national anthem. We simply started moving forward. I didn’t realize we were starting until I was about 15 feet from the start. On the other side of the road, people were still walking up to the start.
The course is mostly as advertised — downhill and fast. It is the least scenic of the Revel races I have run (Canyon City, Mt. Hood, Rockies and Big Cottonwood). As I mentioned last year, the best views are all in the first half of the Full Marathon. The course is rather boring once the Half Marathon joins the party.
The aid stations and volunteers were great. They provided runners with water and Poweraide. The website and race program said that some aid stations would offer Honeystingers, but I never saw any. Perhaps they were saving them for the Full Marathoners. I loved running by the Hawaiian dancers.
Upon crossing the finish line, runners were provided with bottles of water, chocolate milk, bananas and towels soaked in ice water. Upon exiting the finisher’s chute, runners could use tear-off vouchers on their bib to receive a slice of pizza, an ice treat and a spiked seltzer beverage. I loved the matcha flavor of the ice treats. Usually we get a donut with melted glaze from sitting out in the sun, so I was thrilled for something new and interesting. Many people were upset that the beer garden was serving spiked seltzer instead of beer. I didn’t mind. Last year they served an IPA, so anything is an improvement!
There were a variety of photo backdrops for runners to take finisher photos.
The buses returning to Big Bear High School only run once an hour. Last year it took us 2 hours to get back up the mountain as the buses take the race course back. I was prepared for this. I was thrilled that it only took us an hour and 40 minutes this year!
I told my husband I wouldn’t run this race again next year. I only ran it again this year to get the Triple Reveler medal (a medal earned when you run 3 Revel races in a year). In actuality, I probably will run it again. Legacy runners were given bibs that were a special color and said “Legacy Runner.” Darn it. Stupid Revel. I love stuff like that. I guess I’m probably going to run it again next year.
On a positive note, the race offers free photos. I like free photos.